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Those with curly hair know that curls have a mind of their own. Luckily, adding a cleansing conditioner to your styling routine can help simplify the journey to hydrated spirals and coils. These gentle washes can be critical for curls in particular. “Curly hair tends to be drier than straight hair because the natural oils from the scalp have a harder time traveling down the twists and turns of each curl,” says Malwina Augustyn, a hairstylist and curl expert at Ouidad Salon.
Luckily, co-washing can save every wash day by providing extra hydration and less frizz. Co-washing uses conditioner-only washing—sans shampoo—to clean the scalp and hair without disrupting the moisture balance. (PSA: Sulfate-rich hair products, like shampoos, can strip the hair’s natural hydration, leaving curls dry and frizzy.) That ability to moisturize also sets co-washes apart from, say, sulfate-free shampoo. Whether you have curls, coils, or spirals, there’s a co-wash out there to encourage your curls to live up to their fullest potential and help your hair feel softer and shinier than ever. Ahead, our list of the best co-washes, curated by professional stylists and Allure editors.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Hairstory New Wash Original, $56
- Best Detangling: As I Am Coconut CoWash, $9
- Best for Sensitive Scalp: Seaweed Bath Co. Balance Conditioner, $14
- Best for High-Porosity Hair: Bumble and Bumble 3-in-1 Conditioner, $38
- Best for Low-Porosity Hair: Curlsmith Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash, $26
- Best for Type 4 Hair: Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Complete Conditioning Co-Wash, $8
- Best for Type 3 Hair: Ouidad Coil Infusion Drink Up Cleansing Conditioner, $30
- Best for Type 2 Hair: Being Haircare Bye Bye Frizz Smoothing Conditioner, $7
- Best for Frizzy Hair: Lush Avocado Co-Wash, $19
Frequently Asked Questions
- What’s a co-wash—and how is it different from shampoo?
- Do you need to condition after using a co-wash?
- How often should you co-wash?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Hairstory New Wash Original
Why we love it: This Allure Best of Beauty Award winner gently cleanses all hair types, but we've found that it's an especially good co-wash for curls, coils, and kinks. Instead of the typical detergents, this contains a blend of sunflower seed and evening primrose oils to rinse away excess oil, grime, and product build-up—and leave hair softer and more manageable once you rinse. (In fact, our tester found she could skip the detangler entirely.)
Tester feedback: “I normally have to use a detangling product on my hair after I shampoo, but after using this, I could just combed my hair and it wasn't tangly at all," says senior visuals editor Lauren Brown, who has Type 4 coils. “My hair felt super clean afterward, too.”
Key ingredients: sunflower seed oil, evening primrose oil | Who it's for: all curl types | Fragrance-free: no
Best Detangling: As I Am Coconut CoWash
Why we love it: The As I Am Coconut CoWash has a rich, creamy texture that leverages the nourishing power of coconut oil to moisturize, detangle, and soften dry hair; meanwhile, its sulfate-free formula helps preserve natural oils and prevent dryness. Together, that makes this the ideal product for curls, coils, and tight textures alike.
Tester feedback: “With nary a sud in sight, this co-wash not only detangles but also gets my hair looking and feeling extremely clean—plus the softness it imparts is otherworldly,” says Allure contributor Jihan Forbes. “My curls and coils feel like a pillow, and the smell this leaves behind isn't too strong, so you can go ahead and add products on top without having to worry about your hair experiencing a fragrance overload.”
Key ingredients: tangerine, coconut oil, and castor oil | Who it's for: all curl types | Fragrance-free: no
Best for Sensitive Scalp: Seaweed Bath Co. Balance Conditioner
Why we love it: Thanks to coconut and avocado oils, the Seaweed Bath Co. Balance Conditioner nourishes and targets excess oil (although it won’t replace a clarifying shampoo). Raven Hurtado, stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago uses this on clients who have sensitive scalps, as it’s gentle and sulfate-free. (It can also help balance the scalp for those dealing with dandruff and scalp dryness.) With a few uses, you’ll start to notice all the benefits that come with co-washing: more defined curls and coils, shine, longer lasting styles, and less breakage, as it balances the natural scalp oils and hair health.
Key ingredients: pro-vitamin B5, seaweed, sunflower seed oil, and eucalyptus | Silicone-free: all curl types | Fragrance-free: no
Best for High-Porosity Hair: Bumble and Bumble 3-in-1 Conditioner
Why we love it: For higher porosity hair—which is hair that absorbs moisture quickly but loses it just as fast—consider Bumble and bumble Bb. Curl 3-in-1 Moisturizing Conditioner. It deeply nourishes and helps seal moisture, leaving curls soft, defined, and less frizzy. Plus, it’s lightweight, making it ideal for those with fine hair that's curly.
Key ingredients: avocado oil, coconut oil, and shea butter | Who it's for: all curl types | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Low-Porosity Hair: Curlsmith Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash
Why we love it: Designed to remove all impurities and buildup, Curlsmith Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash cleanses, conditions, and detangles curly strands while simultaneously adding moisture—which can help combat shrinkage. As nourishing as it is, it's surprisingly lightweight, making it a great option if you have fine curls or low-porosity hair (which has tightly packed cuticles, making it less able to soak up moisturizing ingredients and therefore prone to a greasy feel). It also transforms into a light, satisfying lather for optimal slip, leaving the hair softer and shinier.
Key ingredients: avocado oil, coconut oil, shea butter | Who it's for: fine hair, low-porosity hair | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Type 4 Hair: Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Complete Conditioning Co-Wash
Why we love it: Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Complete Conditioning Co-Wash is a game-changer for curly and coily hair types—in fact, I’ve found that it can extend my style by a day or two between washes. The rich, creamy co-wash gently cleanses and conditions in one step, leaving hair soft, detangled, and supremely moisturized. It’s formulated with shea butter, argan oil, and keratin, to help repair and restore hair's natural shine and elasticity, making it the ideal choice for dry, damaged, or over-processed hair.
Tester feedback: I cycle through two to four styling products each wash day—meaning when it comes time to wash my coils, I need a product that can not only deposit hydration, but get rid of any buildup that might have accumulated, too. Each time I use this product, my curls gain restored bounce for up to three days post-wash day and my scalp feels clean.
Key ingredients: shea butter | Who it's for: all curl types | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Type 3 Hair: Ouidad Coil Infusion Drink Up Cleansing Conditioner
Why we love it: Ouidad Coil Infusion Drink Up Cleansing Conditioner gently cleanses curly hair without drying it out, preserving natural moisture and preventing frizz. Its unique blend of antioxidants and plant extracts helps to nourish and protect curls, leaving them soft, supple, and full of life. Plus, its creamy texture and sulfate-free formula make it an excellent choice for even the most delicate or color-treated curls.
Key ingredients: black castor oil, lemongrass, and noni fruit | Who it's for: all curl types |Fragrance-free: no
Best for Type 2 Hair: Being Haircare Bye Bye Frizz Smoothing Conditioner
Why we love it: For fine or thin hair types with wavy to curly textures, Alyx Liu, being haircare advisor and celebrity hairstylist, recommends using being haircare BYE BYE FRIZZ Smoothing Conditioner. The lightweight, yet nourishing co-wash is great for cleansing and keeping frizzy hair at bay. Unlike other products, the conditioner works to finess and de-stress your spirals, instead of altering them. It uses almond and jojoba oil to put the moisture back into curls and lets each strand thrive at its most optimal state.
Key ingredients: almond oil, and jojoba oil| Who it's for: all curl types | Fragrance-free: no
Best for Frizzy Hair: Lush Avocado Co-Wash
Why we love it: POV: Your curls haven’t been bouncy in weeks and a wash-and-go lasts half the usual time. Solution: Lush Avocado Co-Wash. Infused with fresh avocado, cocoa butters, and more, this co-wash will deeply condition and moisturize your hair. And if you’re worried about skipping the shampoo, a soothing blend of rosemary, lavender, and nettle steps in to help clarify and calm the scalp.
Key ingredients: avocado, mango butter, cocoa butter | Who it's for: all curl types | Fragrance-free: no
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s a cleansing conditioner—and how is it different from shampoo?
Co-washing, also known as conditioner-only washing, conditioner washing, or no-poo, involves only using conditioner to cleanse and condition your scalp. Because curly, coily, and textured hair needs extra moisturizer, co-washing will help soften and hydrate the hair. Unlike regular shampoo, which contain surfactants that can strip hair of its natural oils, “co-wash products are designed to cleanse while simultaneously moisturizing,” Augustyn says.
Do you need to condition after using a co-wash?
Co-washes contain mild cleansing agents, allowing them to wash the hair while conditioning it at the same time. And fortunately, you won’t need to apply a separate, regular conditioner on top of co-washing. However, Hurtado suggests that if your hair is very dry and you need help with detangling, feel free to apply a leave-in conditioner after to leave hair more hydrated and manageable.
How often should you co-wash?
According to Irinel de León, a hairstylist in Los Angeles, CA, co-washing hair one to two times a week is ideal for most curls. “You’ll notice increased softness and definition after just a few washes, but by 3-4 weeks your curls will feel noticeably healthier and more hydrated,” she says. It should be noted that if you tend to use a lot of products and get heavy buildup, Jamie Lynn DeSimone, a hairstylist at Bb. Midtown in New York, NY, recommends shampooing once a week and co-washing once or twice in between.
Selecting the correct co-wash for your hair needs will also be important—consider your curl type, porosity, and hydration goals. For high-porosity curls, Augustyn recommends looking for a co-wash that offers moisture retention and frizz control. For low-porosity curls (which have trouble absorbing moisture) opt for a lighter formula that won’t weigh the curls down.
Meet the experts
- Malwina Augustyn, hairstylist and curl expert at Ouidad Salon
- Raven Hurtado, hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, IL
- Irinel de León, hairstylist in Los Angeles, CA
- Jamie Lynn DeSimone, hairstylist at Bb. Midtown in New York, NY
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best hydrating co-washes, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from two dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Read more about keeping your strands on-point:
- 9 Best Hair Masks for Frizzy Hair to Smooth Strands in Minutes
- 8 Best Gray Hair Treatments to Soften Your Silver
- 14 Best Pre-Wash Hair Oils for Softer, Shinier Hair
Here's how to get effortless hair—without the effort:
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